Flesh is Weak

A day to remember.

When I awoke next, it was the early morning of the next day. I blinked to try and get the sleep out of my eyes and what I find is not shocking. Everyone in the Queens was tucked into the bed, which had gotten bigger. I still ached slightly, but thankfully, it was nothing like my nerve enhancement. What amused me was the six all snoring in almost perfect unison, and I found something out. Shirone snores the same snot bubbles as her sister.

Said sister seemed to be unconsciously competing on who could make the largest snot bubble. I was about to chuckle at them. Then I accidentally moved my right leg, and groaned, setting off a chain reaction. Shirone popped her snot bubble, and that scared the left side awake. The new noise popped Kuroka's snot bubble, scaring the right and the six, as one jumped awake and started throwing hands at me.

After the incident was over, I was being fussed over by the six. Shirone looked incredibly sorry about setting off the storm purring extremely loud for me in apology for nearly punching my arm off. Rias and Kuroka kissed my cheeks popping it back into place, followed by Murayama and a blushing Raynare. Ravel didn't kiss my cheek, but she squeezed my hand in apology for a punch that had left a black eye on my left side. It was fading fast and Ravel had looked at the healing factor of a perpetual in fascination. She, however, stopped watching to get started with business.

"You will be down for half of today?"

I moved my arm and winced.

"Till about early afternoon. What was your plan today?"

Ravel sighed.

"We would attack another base today and then leave the last three for the next week. I'll make sure we get that done. Can I count on your people, too, Rias?"

Rias nodded her head.

"Akeno is extremely eager to keep fighting Grigori. Koneko, will you be helping or being there for your prince today?"

Shirone considered.

"I will stay with him today, nya."

Kuroka surprisingly did something for her sister.

"I'll help you with the base, Birdy. We need this shut down, and I haven't done many missions, nya."

Ravel began the plan for the day as I smiled and told everyone else.

"When I leave bed later, I will do two things today. Making our next base, and then I'll be making everyone cogitators for connecting you to the Noosphere. Ravel, you can get everyone here as the teleportation machine will be reconfigured. I think it's time we kick off the next and better internet for the underworld."

Ravel and Murayama grew extremely excited, both considering what they would do on the Noosphere. Kuroka whispered something to Rias that made our redhead happier, while Raynare was the silent one of the six. Raynare soon dreams of something. She looked at me with puppy eyes, and I smiled, making Raynare run off to get her cogitator. Ravel then began to organize the rest of the group.

Ravel went to her room while Kuroka and Murayama began discussing the base they would strike. Rias said that she would be right back in a bit. Raynare hadn't come back just yet, leaving me and Shirone in bed. The two of us fell into a comfortable silence other than Shirone's purrs. Shirone leaned on my left arm and wrapped her white tail around my hand. I squeezed it gently, and Shirone looked nervous about something.

"My mate, nya?"

There was all her hope there, and I squeezed her tail.

"Yours. Your purrs helped me on that table. I accept my Cat Princess."

Shirone's purrs hit a new level of intensity as the tail squeezes me like I would disappear. Shirone, with the biggest smile ever calls me her petname.

"My Iron Prince nya."

We enjoyed that moment for a bit before Raynare ran into the room from her secret door, and jumped onto the bed with her cogitator. She then opened it up and begged me to help her set up an account for what she wanted to do. With the three of us together on the bed, I helped start Raynare's DevilTube account, followed by Shirone's. Rias soon returned, and the three of them helped me to the bathroom.

The shower's warm water was incredibly relaxing with the heat removing significant amounts of my aches. Koriel let herself be known with a development. She was making massive progress on the reader. There were, however, significant changes to the original design, including the fact that instead of grabbing the fountain of knowledge entirely. Now it would be a single pull of a blueprint. The pull would be completely random until later models of the reader. By her calculations and with help from the gear, our first prototype would be done at the end of the summer a few weeks before school started.

When I was out of the shower, I was met by Shirone, Rias, and a soft, smiling Raynare. I blinked when I saw Raynare was in traveling clothes. I realized that Raynare was getting ready to do her mission. I moved towards the three, and Raynare looked at me sadly.

I surprised Raynare by pulling her in for a hug. I whispered into her ear my goodbye.

"Be safe, my sneakiest pawn. Call me if you need help, and I will be there for you. I love you."

Raynare smiled into my shoulder, and she whispered back.

"I will my Great King. I love you."

With that said, Raynare broke the hug and hesitated for a second before she hugged Rias, whispering something before an equally happy hug was returned. It was then that Raynare broke off and moved to the door. Pulling it open and then leaving the three of us alone. I put an arm around a sad Rias who said in a near whisper.

"She wouldn't tell me what she was going to do. She just said she has a mission that needs to be done."

I side-hug Rias.

"It's a Legio mission. Azazel lost his personal wet works team, and I want to know where they went. According to Conner, they supposedly have two Longinus users in it, and I'm uncomfortable with them being out in the wind if that is true."

Rias sniffed and Shirone kicked up her purrs for her king. I kissed Rias's neck.

"She's the sneakiest pawn ever, Ria she will be fine. I have wonderful news for you. You know that convention you wanted to go to this week?"

Rias froze and her sea-green eyes turned to my red ones. She started shaking before I covered Shirone's ears just in time as a massive squeal came that shook the house. Shirone still winced, but her yellow eyes turned to mine in thanks. I winked at my junior before being tackled by a very happy Rias, who then kissed me. I smiled widely and kissed her back, saying when it ended.

"You wanted to go to it, and I got tickets. I have six tickets, two for Keno and Issari and the rest for us."

Rias continues to be happy at this revelation, and that makes Raynare's departure disappear entirely. Rias, Shirone, and I were so absorbed in the moment that we almost missed the knock on the door. We three looked at the door, and a voice came through after two minutes of silence.

"Young master, you have a guest. It's Heiress Gremory."

All three of us widened our eyes as I forgot that Heniya would be here today. I quickly detach myself from Rias and Shirone moving slowly to the door.

I opened the door to the lord's office and there sitting on the couch in the corner was Heniya who was dressed in a casual red dress. I slowly moved towards Heniya, and she was sympathetic.

"Hard training?"

I took a seat next to Heniya before I smile smirk.

"Yes how can I help you today, Heiress Gremory?"

Heniya immediately went to business.

"I will be quick here as there are multiple things I need to do besides this. Since you are a king in a peerage on the topside, you are required to help me with several things. One of which is the clean up of strays. The other peerage in the city is required to do three cleans a week, and I will be expecting yours to do the same."

This was to be expected.

"We would be happy to help. I have talked to Heiress Sitri, and she seems more dedicated to her goal of a future school than cleanings. We would be happy to take their cleanings, too."

Heniya looked surprised.

"They are yours then. I know of her goal, and I only had them doing this to rely less on the guild. If your people do this, you and Rias's peerage can help me finally eliminate them here. That was going to be my next thing. I want you to go on several hunts with Rias till she is comfortable."

The worry was clear in her eyes.

"I will happily help her get used to combat. I don't think she will need me there long. She seems like she's a natural with a blade and I will also make her equipment for her hunts."

Heniya sighed in relief.

"I will have to trust your judgment there. I want my baby sister to prove herself to them, yet at the same time, I want her in a gilded cage away from that. Part of the reason I said yes was because after that job you did for me, I could never find out who was in charge of the fallen. I would rather have Rias be able to fight back to buy time than her being grabbed by whomever this is and rolling over to them."

Reveal this or don't. We might need Heniya's firepower against Kokabeil, and with Grigori's meeting coming up, we might be facing a true war soon. However, it would be bad if she or Sirzches learns that Kokabeil is after Rias with Excalibur. A choice needed to be made here, and I made it.

"I will double my training with Rias to ensure she can do that. I was never able to learn more about them, either. I do have a lead I'm following up on, and I will get back to you."

Heniya looked curious there but accepted my words.

"Please do I have tried everything to learn the identity of them. We can't just accuse Grigori of this even though we know it's them. They moved more forces to the border yesterday, and we had to move more of our forces there to mimic the move."

Kokabiel must be sure he will win the election next time and I don't know how we are going to stop that. We don't have an army, and we don't have his grand plan. My worry shows because Heniya tried to comfort me.

"They won't send your generation to fight. The Satans have long prepared for this, and the border is heavily fortified. They started the games to make a new generation of more powerful fighters. We in the top ten will be the first in."

Quality and a bit of quantity there. I do have a question about this, tho.

"Who lost the most numbers in the Great War?"

Heniya considers the answer.

"Heaven then Grigori then us. At least, that's what Sirzches told me. We and Grigori have the numbers nowadays, and Heaven almost exclusively relies on humans to do their work. It's almost impossible to run into a pure angel as they went into isolation."

Heniya turned the conversation around to happier things.

"My folks are hoping they can have you meet them properly for lunch or dinner soon. They want to get to know you better now that the noise has settled down."

I smile there and nod yes.

"I would love to get to know my in-laws better too. Tell me when so we can prepare the food, or I could visit with Rias. I do have a question for you about the train. I plan to visit the underworld soon to see a potential place I have been told of. Where would I go to get tickets?"

Heniya was pleased and surprised me by saying that nobles didn't have to have tickets. They ride for free along with their peerages. Heniya was finishing explaining to me the process of entering the underworld when she caught sight of the clock getting off the couch.

"I'll have Wu get with you next week for your hunts. Sadly, the city never sleeps, and I have plenty of work to do."

Heniya continued on her way out and left me alone in the office. I moved my legs and was happy to feel less of the aches. I should be back to normal in one or two more hours. I slowly got up and made my way towards my room. When I opened the door to it, I found Rias and Shirone excitedly talking about something. Rias went silent for a second before she looked me dead in the eyes.

"We are playing Halo!"

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. We started up the Xbox to play the game while Shirone watched. Rias fell silent for a moment before she said something, seeing a picture of an Elite.

"Could they be real, too?"

Shirone twitched her ears while sitting on my lap, and I gave Rias a reassuring look.

"I don't know. I hope they are not real as they are extremely dangerous warriors."

Rias wondered, as did I, as we looked at that Elite with an energy sword before we tried to banish that and enjoy fun.

We did several split-screen games before Rias wanted more of a challenge and went into her first multiplayer match. The games showed me that Rias was going to be MLG. She was winning most of the games, and made a new friend in a guy from the United States. He had been cool and invited Rias to continue playing together after their team crushed the other side in three minutes. Rias was hesitant till I poked her to accept. The two of them had a great time together, and Rias got her first friend request after the guy had logged off for the night.

Rias was shocked by the notification, and I repeated it while Shirone was relaxing on my lap.

"You're a people person, Rias."

Rias beams at her victory here, and I gently shooed a drowsy Shirone out of my lap to test the aches. They were next to nonexistent, and I cursed yet loved the gene. Rias turns off the Xbox and gets up with me. Shirone promises to help, too, and it is time to shut down the old base and begin building the next one.

The three of us had moved towards the basement, and once there, we were stopped by Hetvia. She was excited and promised help moving things along with Mr Cuddles and a soon-to-be online Mr Sparkles. The only difference between him and Mr Cuddles was Mr Sparkles had a deeper silver chrome head. The robot made its first move, and I got a look at the guidance matrix spirit. The robot's spirit is also sadly a sis-con but was surprisingly a less hardcore one. The spirit was a former military soldier, and he assured me in three tweets that while yes he would love Hetvia to death, he came to give future robots better orders and a leader on the battlefield.

Mr Sparkles immediately started tweeting to Mr Cuddles about basic mistakes the other had made on the last mission. The first robot started tweeting back and forth to his new captain while Hetvia beams. We started the move with the robot maker being shrunken down and placed in a pocket spell. I also shrunk down my gene vault and the Anvil of Knowledge for better placement in my pit. We were about to hit the teleporter when Xenovia hurried down the stairs towards us and offered to help.

In the station power armor was shrunk down with everything but the teleporter and power supply. I had broken away from the group to clean my torture chamber, and I vaguely remember making the servitor there. The wall of martyrs was removed last. It was time that these people saw the sun and moon again.

The plaque was the first thing placed at the new base, and then we began working to get the base set up for future operations. The robot maker went to an old shop class, and Hetvia immediately had Mr Cuddles and Sparkles start cleaning up. I made our second robot maker, explaining in detail to Hetvia how to assemble future machines when we start making more.

Hetvia wondered if we could reuse the old metal here in the building for future robots, and I considered that before I shook my head. Recycling it and replacing the old furniture with new ones would be better. Being the technophile I was, there would also be a secondary security system should the wards fail or get broken. Rias started replacing the old stones with better ones, while Shirone and Xenovia offered to help clean up.

The rooks and the robots began gathering everything, and I told everyone that I was going to start making a place for myself here. That was accepted, and I moved to the cellar.

Inside the room, I made things like multiple tinkering benches and storage containers for armor, along with placing my gene vault and the Anvil of Knowledge. I made several cells for future prisoners/ servitors. A quick rework for the servitors table was made along with a CD player and restrains that could hold down a space marine. I then pulled my prisoner out of the pocket and strapped him to the table. Noise-dampening spells and machines go up, and then I made prosthetics for the fallen before I canceled the stasis spell after putting on my helmet.

The fallen started screaming as soon as the spell ended before I slammed my fist into his face and hot poking his arm stubs to stop the bleeding. That made him shut up, and whimpers started feeling the burns. His eyes looked towards mine, and he froze in fear of me. The leaking of demonic energy into the room made him begin shivering. I opened my holographic display for the table.

"Welcome to hell I'm your doctor and will be asking you a series of questions. You will answer them truthfully, or this will happen to you."

I played the CD, and the fallen, upon listening to the full thing, began shaking in pure fear.

"How many bases are you aware of?"

The fallen refused to say anything. I shrugged, and then I broke his left leg. The crack of bones was heard as the fallen screams echoed in the room. He began babbling out the answer.

"Two bases!"

I continued with the questions after getting the locations. One was in Japan, and another was in Europe, specifically in Britany.

"Number of fallen in the cadre?"

The fallen continued to babble out answers.

"Seven hundred!"

I was considering whether I should do the deed on him since it was all new information. The Shinto and my patron whispered to me something about this fallen. The interrogation continued for twenty more minutes, and after he was drained of information, he begged.

"Please kill me, devil I gave you everything I know!"

My face turned towards him, and he seemed to think he had won pity. A saw suddenly came out from the table and chewed through his broken leg. It flopped to the floor along with a stream of blood. The fallen screamed in agony, and I again cauterized the wound with my poker. The fallen screams out in pure fear.

"I told you everything!"

My red helm eyes looked into his.

"You did. This is for them in the subways you helped Aum kill by handing over the bags of gas to the cultists. You're my new messenger to your boss. Enjoy being useful for once in your miserable existence fallen."

The fallen screamed and tried to break free from the restraints on the table, only for the table to do the last step before the new parts were added. A single scream was heard before silence, and I began to make my next message for the Angel of the Stars. This fallen will do something special.

The operation was faster than I would have thought. Koriel shrugged inside me and said she had whole forges set up to make servitors as efficient as possible. The fallen was again put into stasis. Or rather Penitent-2. I have begun a plan to draw Kokabeil that will kick off soon.

I found Hetvia in the old cafeteria where the robots were hauling away tables and chairs, with Hetvia directing them with 0s and 1s. There was also a new face here. Jeanne was standing with another woman near the center of the room. The newcomer was dressed in black exorcist robes nervously looking around the room. Her hair was a light black in a short ponytail that was well kept, and she turned towards the doors where I was coming through. The exorcist shook a little, and I realized it was because my demonic energy was still leaking. Jeanne was not as affected by it and greeted me.

"Hey, boss. Like the place so far much better place than the station."

I reined in my energy as the woman looked nervously at me like I was going to take her head off. Jeanne elbowed the other woman.

"He's fine, Paula. He's not scary and hardly what you'd think a devil would be like. Boss, this is Paula. She's the cell head from Europe."

The woman looked like she wanted to run, but she gulped before her emerald eyes met mine.

"Buen dia, sir."

Paula was a Spaniard. I smiled reassuringly at my new cell head.

"Good day to you as well, Paula I'm Gregor Astaroth. I'm really not too scary. I was busy doing something important and didn't realize I was still leaking energy."

Paula was still nervous about this but was calmed a little. She was silently thinking, and Jeanne rolled her eyes at the other woman before taking over again.

"We will start this search for the person you want to find. Paula knows ten languages, and she has contacts in Europe. You really can't give us more information on this person?"

Paula finally showed an emotion other than fear as rage crossed her face.

"You sell out your fellow humans fast, girl. I won't help in that. I joined to protect people, not enslave them. If this is what this organization is about, I won't stay."

Jeanne was unimpressed by the accusation, and Paula turned her eyes on me.

"You are protecting the world if this person is found. They hold something incredibly dangerous. While reincarnation is not off the table, it's not plan A. Before you say I don't get it, I do. I was chased by devils, too, before learning I was a half-breed with gear."

Paula froze before feeling me and my gear. She gaped at me, and Jeanne rolled her eyes at the other.

"He's, like I said, not the typical devil. This group wants to protect all people equally. You will get it soon, Paula."

Paula looked at me, and her anger seemed to melt away. Her emerald eyes looked down in shame.

"I am sorry for presuming that you wanted that. I had experience with devils before becoming an exorcist. I got excommunicated from the Catholic Church when I saw the corruption in their ranks and protested. I joined Grigori to protect the world from evil that includes your species. I won't serve darkness, which is why I deserted when the vote was that close. The others have told me what he has done and that you fight against that."

I smile in understanding.

"I will never force you to go against those morals. We here in the Legio must be like the sun shining brightly. Yet not all work is done in the light of day, and some must be done in the twilight. This task, sadly, is in that area. You are not being forced to do this and can do another task I have that better suits your stance if you want."

Jeanne didn't seem offended that she might hunt alone. Paula finally made her point.

"I will not hunt for this person. What is this other task?"

I give a nod to the woman.

"There is a base of Kokabiel's in Britany that needs to be shut down and, if possible, taken. You're welcome to do that job instead. People from my peerage or another's might join you. They will be using grim weapons and wearing strange armor. Hetvia, would both your robots be ready to help our new people?"

Paula blinked while Hetvia tilted her head yes.

"They are ready to help there. We can be ready to move tomorrow or Sunday."

The robots tweeted together that they could help, which scared Paula out of shock.

"Are those AI!"

I chuckled along with Jeanne and Hetvia.

"No, they are not. Go closer to them and see the truth."

Paula approached Mr Sparkles, and she gasped once she was close enough.

"They are….."

Jeanne finished that with a grin.

"They like all machines, are immortal. Seeing them settled my final doubts. I loved the church as a kid, but they offered nothing but empty words when I wanted comfort after the incident. This will let me be with my family again."

I blinked in surprise as Jeanne joined the faith. She looked at me in amusement.

"Like I said, I want my knight to be named after him and be powered by him. He has agreed to that, and my folks want to be in other things I use. My mom in my recon skulls and my dad the gun I use. He taught me how to shoot when I was a kid. I'll take something that is easily concealed."

That made me smile and wish for a moment I could have my brother back. He wasn't here, however, and that old hurt was buried again fast. Paula was looking at the robots in pure amazement with her hand trembling as she touched one.

"This isn't necromancy and darkness it's holy and light-based. Tell me more about this, Jeanne. How can they do this? What are they?"

Jeanne smiled happily and then started explaining the idea of machine spirits and our Cult Mechcanicum. Paula looked and listened to this in amazement, never taking her eyes off the robots as they continued to move things out of the room. Paula listened on, and she finally spoke after it was done.

"I will take that base along with think on this. It's such a simple concept, and yet it is so very deep. To be a lowly cog in a machine. Yet all cogs have purpose. All of us being that working as one together like a machine. Its…"

I see the wonder of someone who is realizing this truth.

"If you wish to know more about this, you can talk to my cousin. She understands the ideas of what we believe better than most. I would say she is our Magos of faith. However, I say this as the first cog. Don't convert to this idea unless you can totally commit. Yes, the machine is immortal, but the human body should never be forsaken for the machine entirely. It should be like they in technology in a symbiosis. Each has strengths and should be used together to create something new and better."

Paula listened there, as did Jeanne. The blonde smiled while the Spaniard considered this idea and seemed to make a new revelation. Looking at me directly in the eyes, she seemed to understand something.

"I will talk to her. I must get going soon my place is getting more people from our former cadre. They want out, too, and my brother was the one getting them to safety today. I will have them help me with this base but we will need equipment."

I smiled and informed the woman.

"I will be making weapons and armor for our people this weekend. Stop by on Sunday for them."

The woman nodded her thanks and then made to leave the cafeteria. She stopped at the doors.

"I will. I will enter that chat room the other cell head said you have. I'll post my questions there."

Then, the Spaniard left the room, glancing again at the robots. Jeanne shrugged as soon as the other woman was gone.

"I'm not upset about not getting help. I can do it by myself, but it will take more time. I'll ask the big guy for help now that I believe."

That will help on that front, and I smiled at my second skitarii marshal.

"You're a ranger now, Jeanne. They would be like you in the hunt. Just be careful in Europe. The more I hear about the churches, the more I dislike them, except for the Orthodox Church. The Catholics here are even more corrupt than my universe. The Protestants seem like they have mostly escaped the rot but are hard fanatics that could switch on you at a moment's notice."

Jeanne shrugged.

"The Protestants have always been the hard crusaders of the three branches. According to Conner, they are the most dangerous of the exorcists when they defect to Grigori. The Catholics provide the numbers, and the very few Orthodox ones will never break despite the odds stacked against them."

I believe that, based on the self-proclaiming knucklehead.

"I'll get you your hotshot las pistol before you leave. Do you want to have fun at an anime convention tomorrow before you start your search?"

Jeanne grinned.

"Fuck yeah, I'll take a ticket. I can get some figures for my collection! Who else is going?"

I chuckled at the enthusiasm.

"Myself, my redhead, Issari, and my cousin so far. That leaves one more person."

My Ranger marshal shrugged.

"I need more friends than just you. While Kala and Conner are great it's a work thing. Madam Nurse was out early today, and well, I'm not sure who else would be interested in Gundam here."

I snort there and tell her with an amused smile.

"I can name two people. One might try to recruit you for her peerage because she's also a Gundam fanatic. The other is closer to home in my knight. She's also desperate to drive a knight walker."

That made Jeanne smile wider.

"Introduce me to them both. I'm not really interested in becoming a devil unless they have great health insurance."

That got us both snickering together, and we discussed where to meet up before the convention. We finally agreed to meet at a Mos Burger for an early brunch near the convention center. Jeanne shrugged, saying she had mostly eaten ramen since being here, and I both missed and was glad I didn't have American food anymore. We were discussing our favorite foods when Rias found us, and she practically skipped our way. Before looping her arm around me. Jeanne mock gags, and I snark at her.

"Don't be jealous, Jeanne one day you will be as cool as me."

Jeanne mock gags again while Rias smiled and kissed my cheek, which I returned. Rias smiled and told me as she leaned on me.

"Wards are updated and stronger. The people Grigori use for them are not very good."

Jeanne shrugged.

"They aren't Grigori has to make do with subpar magicians, often just poorly trained renegades from the guilds. The ward master for Grigori is one such person, and her apprentice is just as bad at it. It's honestly a miracle sometimes that mundanes don't find Grigori bases."

Rias humphs there, and I'm amused.

"Rias will probably be teaching classes on it someday. Ria where are Koneko and Xenovia?"

Rias frowned and concentrated.

"They are still here. Koneko is in the courtyard with Xenovia."

I shrugged and made Jeanne her las pistol along with power packs. Rias, now knowing about the Warhammer universe, looked at the gun with a bit more respect, and Jeanne caught that.

"She knows the origin?"

Rias kept looking at the gun and nodded, answering the question. She looks at the gun and then at me with a small frown.

"Please teach me to shoot eventually. I have an idea for my power of destruction."

I promise her I will this weekend getting a smile and kiss. Jeanne looked at her las pistol and it was apparent what she was thinking.

"Yes, baguette girl, they had a bigger version for knights, but wouldn't you want giant claws to drag your knight into melee combat?"

That made Jeanne freeze and then get a goofy grin. Rias looked up from the gun, and gasped, putting something together, before she shouted out in glee.

"They had Gundam there! You need to talk to Seekvaria! You knew, and you're going to help her get her dream thats why you have been holding off on talking to her!"

I smile smirked.

"Yes, and I will send a letter to her requesting a meeting this coming week. She can have her knights."

Rias was beaming, thinking of how much this would make Seekvaria's millennium.

"She might marry you if you can make them. Even though she's my ok friend, she can't have you!"

I smile smirked more.

"I'm not interested in any more purebloods if I can help it Ria two is enough for me. No need for me to get hard-targeted by the OSF and GKF. They'll probably openly assassinate me for marriage to an heiress. Hopefully, we can have knights in a year or so instead of the decade or more that would be needed otherwise."

Rias dampened when she remembered the OSF and GKF but nodded her agreement. I was thinking of the funny moment that Seekvaria learned we could make better Gundam. That mood continues for the three of us as we go to find Xenovia and Shirone.

The rook duo was giggling in the center courtyard under an apple tree. Xenovia and Shirone were feeding their sins by the perverse grin they both had. Xenovia looked our way, and her eyes flashed blue telling Shirone someone was here. Shirone finally looked our way covered in a bit of dirt, with eyes in narrow slits. She saw me then charged across the courtyard, slamming into me. I landed with a massive oof as there on my chest was an ultra-happy Shirone purring up a storm. I put it together, smelling something. Shirone had found catnip. The white cat purrs so loudly that she practically vibrates on my chest while Xenovia grins wide. I watched the psyker in caution while smiling seeing my kohai this happy. Rias awes while Jeanne was amused at this. I, gentlemen, picked up the purr master and helped to set her upright before Shirone attached herself to my arm in glee. Despite her happy state I got ready to begin working on the secondary security system.

Placing scanners on the building's rooftop allowed me to use my wings for the first time, and it was a novel experience to fly. The main defense weapons for the building would be las emplacements set in hot shot mode. They would activate if the intruder proved hostile by our scanner spirit, who had been an old mall cop.

I was so busy building things here that I was running near the bottom of my reserves by the time the building was partly covered before I moved inside. The fatigue must be showing because Rias looked extremely worried, as did Shirone, who did not want to leave my side. Xenovia was a respectful distance back from us yet she was worried too. We were next to the room where the security system was hooked up to near the teleportation center. Jeanne was not as worried about me.

"I'll let you go, boss you look like shit. I'm excited about the convention tomorrow and will be ready for it. See you, Red, cat. By the way, Xenovia was it? Can you teach me that chop for the self-proclaiming Protestant?"

Xenovia gave a quick tutorial for said chop, including very detailed hand motions that had Jeanne take on a gleeful look, learning it fully before she took her leave of us. That left me alone with the three. Shirone was extremely worried seeing the bags under my eyes, and I squeezed my junior.

"I am not going anywhere, Shiro. I'm here permanently."

Shirone immediately looked up at me with her yellow eyes full of pure hope and joy before hugging my left arm and squeezing it tightly.

"My forever Iron Prince nya?"

I pat her back.

"Your forever Iron Prince. I have enough energy left to make something for you to use."

Shirone perked up, and I made her a pair of power fists her size. When I handed her the weapons, Shirone looked at them before she put her right hand in the first one, and then she jumped when the fist cracked with lightning. Her eyes went wide. She looked back at me, and I patted her again.

"You might be my kitty princess, but you will be my kick-ass kitty princess."

That put the widest smile on her face before out came purrs that were extra loud.

Our trio met Hetvia and her robots and teleported back to the house for dinner.

When we arrived at the house, we found the mission team putting equipment away in the armory here. Ravel told me the results of that base. Twenty exorcists dead along with six fallen. The base had been a smuggling point at a port that was one of several points that Kokabeil was using to get his exorcists and fallen into the country. Kuroka had happily said that the base was easy before Shirone eagerly started showing off her power fists to her sister. Shirone wanted to name the fists after their parents. The look that crossed Kuroka's face was one of happy memories tinged with sadness. I realized I had never asked what happened to them. I was about to go upstairs when I got a buzz on my phone. I checked, and it was Ajuka. It seemed like he was still unsure what he could talk to me about, but it was just a question for dinner together on Monday topside. I texted him back saying I'd love that and would like to introduce him to my peerage. A few seconds passed before an answer came back, and he said he was eager for the meeting. I went upstairs to go enjoy dinner. The dinner became extra crowded when Issari and Irina arrived just before we started getting food.

Irina today was the picture of perfection between Akeno and Issari at the table. She never said the G word and was a bit more friendly to the peerages. She was patted by the official Irina tamer in Issari when she didn't go on a rant about the church midway through dinner when Kiba mentioned something about it. I was impressed with Issari and Akeno on the progress made on the Self Proclaiming Protestant before I slid the tickets over to Issari, and she gaped at them.

"How the fuck did you get tickets for this!"

I smirked and answered while Rias was beaming at me.

"I had time left over during the training week, and I managed to get six by programming bots to buy them."

Issari got a mini tic mark before Akeno bumped her.

"That's very nice of you to offer this Lex. Who else is going with us?"

I smiled and caught sight of someone's face.

"My Ranger marshal and I was thinking of maybe taking the biggest Gundam fan I know currently topside."

Murayama froze before she squealed as Katase huffed out.

"You did say you wanted to go. You are lucky to have a rich boyfriend."

I was surprised Katase didn't show jealousy, and she returned my gaze before shrugging her shoulders in amusement.

"I have found something better, and while you're still a good choice, I learned I like battle more."

That led to smiles and chuckles from the table, and I caught that better thing. Thoron was being extra smug as he was beside Katase with his arm around her. My face takes on a half smile.

"Congratulations people will be jealous at the school, Thoron. After all, not everyone is cool enough to have the kendo club captain as a girlfriend."

Thoron smirked wider, and Katase enjoyed her moment of triumph. As dinner was approaching its end, I told everyone to gather in the foyer because it was time for cogitators to be handed out. Mittelt had come in at the very end of the meal, and Neri was preparing to leave but was stopped by Maéva. I gestured to Mittelt to follow us, which was met by a huff before she did, along with Neri being pushed by Maéva.

As I slowly made cogitators for everyone and handed them out to people, Rias and Murayama were excitedly talking about the convention tomorrow. Rias was promising to help get Murayama several Gundam figures with the two so invested in this that soon they dragged in Issari and Irina. Neri was holding her cogitator like it was a mythical thing, and Maéva was promising to show the pureblood several cooking websites and places to get Alaric toys. Neri was in disbelief, thinking that there was everything inside the machine. However, the thought of her son having things he had gone without now excites my maid. I then looked at my peerage and explained what would be expected of us next week.

"We will be helping clean up strays possibly six times a week starting next week. That includes you, Mittelt, for one cleaning every two weeks."

The blonde grunted her acceptance as I continued.

"We have a new base and everyone is welcome to choose parts of it for your own use. Hetvia already has a new robot shop. If you need things made then you can ask for them from me or inform Kuroka and Ravel the things. I did see a large library, Kiryuu, that you might like and a very decently sized gym, Thoron and Katase."

The three were eager to explore the base, and their eagerness was clear as I explained how to get there. That was when the meeting broke up.

Irina approached me from where she had been next to Issari and Akeno after I gestured to the trio to come over. I hand Irina her cogitator. That got a blink from her, and I shrugged.

"You're welcome on the Noosphere, too, Fish Skull Taker. Just don't try to hurt what will, for now, be a devil majority user base."

Irina was ready to snap at me, but she halted mid-way through when she felt anime flames behind her from a looming Issari. She shivered before she looked me dead in the eye.

"You made it impossible for them to enslave her even though she has the boosted gear and could make you more powerful. Thank you."

That was said genuinely making me look at Irina with a soft smile.

"She's my best friend too. Despite our start, there is no truer friend than Issari Hoyoudou. I am not the Morning Star, nor will I ever be. I despise him, as does my deity. While I'm not the saint of purity, I will do what is necessary for all of us, including the half of me that is human. Humanity needs and will get a champion that understands both halves of the world and I will always try to be that. Iguana will be here making sure of it."

That finally broke the tension between us, and Issari, the good knucklehead, pulled us into a hug. Irina gagged at the sudden squeeze as Akeno kissed her dragon girl's cheek. I chuckled at Issari's pure joy.

"I'll pick you up around eleven and I'm eager to see your folks again. Have they been introduced to your senpai?"

Issari, while she has been good, needs to be fucked with every so often. The sudden sweating from Issari answers the question, and Akeno joins in with wide gleefulness.

"Yes, Isa when were you going to introduce me to them? After all, I have staked my claim, and you should introduce me to my eventual in-laws."

The sweating increased, and I winked at Akeno for helping me here. Issari keeps hugging her two best friends.

"I was going to do it this weekend, senpai I swear!"

Issari kept sweating while Akeno started fufufus.

"I'm eager to meet them. Now, we should reward someone who has been extremely good tonight. Don't you think my Fish Skull Taker?"

Irina blushed tomato red before nodding fast. Issari let me go and dragged the two upstairs fast, leaving a dust cloud. I turned to the others, and as we headed up the stairs, I asked Kuroka the question that had been bothering me.

"Roka, what happened to your folks?"

My Queen stopped on her current stair as Shirone went silent, too. It was quiet for two seconds before the other queens quickly moved at Rias's urging to our room and leaving the three of us alone. Kuroka looked the saddest I have ever seen her. She put her hand in mine and then leaned on me, continuing up the stairs. I was about to say she didn't have to answer that question when she wrapped her tails around me as we sat at the top of the stairs.

"My former king killed Pappi and Mam nya. Pappi was interested in living longer for us and was looking into various ways to do that. He was in talks with my former king about possibly reincarnating nya. During the exchanges, the bastard saw us once and focused on me. He seduced me then killed Pappi and Mam by poison without us knowing till I beat it out of him nya. I thought he was truthful about wanting to help us after they died, so I accepted his offer to reincarnate."

I hate how much this hurts for my queen to admit. I wrapped my arm around her while Shirone sat on my lap. The cats silently sat with me as I felt tears hit my shirt. I want to eradicate the Naberius for this. Alex told me he would kill them all for her. I told him we would bide our time on them.

"I'm so sorry, Roka I shouldn't have asked."

Kuroka kept leaning on me before she looked up at me with her beautiful yellow eyes.

"It's ok, Greg. Because of you, my wonderful mate, my life and Shirone's are better than ever before, nya. I love you."

I felt something happen as two lost souls entered Shirone's power fists. Kuroka and Shirone each kissed one of my cheeks, feeling that too. I heard a very loud Irish man tell me that if I hurt his kids in any way, he would move into a robot and hunt me down. Kill me several dozen times over in brutal ways till I learned the lesson. That was reinforced by an equally protective mother cat who threatened to do the same. She said after her threats were made that I was strong enough for her kittens but don't try to push my luck.

The sisters giggled, hearing their parents with Kuroka saying to them in a happier tone.

"He's the best mate I could ever have here, Pappi, Mam. I'll help you both if he does anything like that to us, nya."

Shirone hugged her fists hard.

"I'm sorry for ever believing in him, Pappi nya."

The spirits reassured their daughter that they never held that against her. The three of us were on the stairs until a cute yawn came from Shirone, and the three of us went to our room for the night.

I was woken up by a sharp poke to my right side near my ribs. That made me blink rapidly, trying to get the sleep out of my eyes. I looked for the source of the poke and saw my attacker. A wide-awake Rias was beaming in excitement for the convention. I looked around to see the others, and they were either snoring snot bubbles, as in the case of the cats, or slowly waking up themselves. Murayama was awake on my left and extremely excited while Ravel rubbed her eyes. The awake duo looked at me with ultra-eager faces and seemed almost ready to push me off the bed and into the shower. I was still groggy, and the two beamed before they practically ran together towards the bathroom. Leaving me with Ravel and two snoring cats.

Ravel finally woke up completely, and she turned her blue eyes my way. There was some jealousy in them for the others today. I whispered to her with a smile on my face.

"I have a plan for you too, Vel."

That made my Grand Planner relax.

"It is just difficult to accept this despite the training they do in the schools. My parents only had each other and were happy until Riser got his peerage. Mom hated how badly they were treated, yet Dad said that reincarnated were lucky to be serving us. Said that Riser was being a proud Phenex. I want that first part and not the latter."

Ravel looked at the bed sheets, and I snaked my hand around Kuroka's snot bubbles and gently took the hand. That action brought up her spirits. She looked back at me and squeezed her hand again.

"I will never stop trying to give you and the others their dreams. I don't plan to be there all day and we can do more plans together at the new base while I do building."

That made my blonde happy.

"I would love that. Do we plan on being big players in the games?"

Considering it would be a direct insult to the GKF each time we won a game.

"I'd be happy to do more ratings games with everyone. You, Kuroka, and I can probably come up with some great plans for them."

That woke Kuroka up.

"What am I doing nya?"

That got snickers from Ravel and me as we got up off the bed. Kuroka somehow fell back asleep during this. The snot bubbles started forming again as Shirone snuggled next to her sister. That was when Rias and Murayama came out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go in anime t-shirts and jeans. They tiptoed past us and out of the room. I gestured to Ravel for the bathroom, and she shook her head. She instead followed after Rias and Murayama. I shrug and then do my morning routine.

At the table in the kitchen Maéva was laying out food for the people here. I was beside Murayama and Rias, who were excitedly discussing the convention. Murayama was ready for Gundam stuff and Rias her Dragon Ball Z knock off. Ravel and Kiryuu were discussing how they could make the school library into a magical study space for Ravel's guild. Rias contributed to the plan, and Neri said softly that she was willing to share spells that her family and her husband's family had. She didn't back down from that, and Kiryuu fed her sin with glee, saying that all magic should be documented regardless of use.

The three began to talk, and Rias was preparing to do puppy eyes for me, and I twitched my lips to a half smile.

"I can't control time, Ria. The convention doesn't start till 12, and we are first in the queue regardless."

That made Rias even more excited as she was practically bouncing up and down. I checked the clock, and it was around nine forty. I was ready to see the Hoyoudous again and will disappoint Mrs Hoyoudou with Rias. Akeno came into the kitchen in a t-shirt and jeans nervous about this. Showed by how she didn't have her happy smile right now. She looked at me and then at the bouncing Rias. That got the smile, and she sat next to us. We continued eating till the group of us going to the convention were set, and then we went to collect the other person and meet up with Jeanne.

The trip to the Hoyodous house was extremely fun, with Rias telling everyone who would be there at this convention. That included a surprise person in one of Serafall's peerage. Since the commoners and reincarnated couldn't use TVs in the underworld, Serafall was forced to move her TV show topside, with it being very popular up here. Murayama had gapped hearing that the anime Hell Maiden was Serafall's. I looked at Rias, who said proudly that she had all three seasons of Hell Maiden on DVD, and they were the collector's edition ones. Murayama begged to see them when we returned to the house, and I was also interested in them. Akeno rolled her eyes at me while Rias and Murayama gushed about the show.

"It's decently done, Lex."

My smile was on full display.

"I would like to see it to get an idea of how to sell our group to her if there is a hint of her sin. I'm worried about what might happen if we don't do this right."

Akeno bumped me in amusement.

"Considering everything, Lex, I don't think she will be too upset. She has been trying to find ways to improve relations with most supernatural factions, and she was making progress on the youkai till a small incident happened. The representative from Lady Yasaka made a mistake and covered it up by pretty much accusing Serafall of trying to assassinate them. If we truly have support from the Shinto and get rid of him, we can use that to get Lady Yasaka to reopen talks with us."

I have a feeling I know who that representative was. Before I could ask Akeno the name of said person, we were in front of Issari's house. Rias wrapped her arm around my left, and Murayama was ready to do the same on my right, but she was holding back for now. As we approached the house door, we heard a muffled conversation behind the door. Akeno was nervous again, but my bump at her this time stopped it, and she returned to her confident self. I knocked on the door, and Mrs Hoyodou immediately answered it.

The brown-haired woman was ecstatic to see me until she saw Rias on my arm. That made her look curious and slightly depressed, as she invited us in.

On the couch in the front room were Issari and Irina in T-shirts and jeans. Mr Hoyoudou was sitting in a comfortable-looking chair, and once he saw us, he smiled broadly. Akeno immediately went over to sit with Issari's and that makes the two parents blink at the two while I smile smirk.

"It's good to see you both again, Mr and Mrs Hoyoudou."

Smiles from both came as Mrs Hoyoudou replied.

"And you too Gregor-kun. Isa said you have been busy reuniting with your father. I'm so happy that you finally found him again. Who is that on your arm?"

There was hope and dread in the end for my answer.

"This is my girlfriend, Rias Gremory. We met a few weeks ago and seemed to hit it off extremely well. We only got together last Friday."

Rias beams, and Mrs. Hoyoudou droops. Murayama helped build the story.

"They met at the sword dojo we all use. Rias is incredibly nice and has the makings of a great swordswoman. I might ask her to join the Kendo club at Kuoh Academy this year."

Issari gave her mother an I told you, so look and then pulled Akeno closer to her, making my cousin extremely happy. Irina was mad for a second before she blushed hard remembering something. Mr Hoyoudou pats his wife reassuringly.

"It's all right, Miki. Our daughter just missed out there and it could be worse. She could still be screaming from the rooftops that she wants a harem. I have never cared, just like you haven't. It's nice to meet you, miss. I'm Gorou Hoyoudou and this is my wife, Miki."

Miki quickly recovered from the mini-depression.

"That is true this is vastly preferable to her old habits. It's nice to meet you."

That settles the atmosphere for the four and Issari beams while Akeno fufufus.

"It's nice to meet you both too. I'm Akeno Himejima. You will never have to worry about her doing that again. I knocked that out of my girlfriend. Thanks to my cousin there, I'm lucky to have such a wonderful person. He introduced us and I am grateful for that day we started talking to each other again."

That got awwws from Miki and Goru there and they started talking to Akeno about how they met. That drew in Issari and Irina while Rias whispered to Murayama and me.

"Thank you for the story."

Murayama whispered back.

"It's what happened, and I was serious about the offer. I'll join the ORC to help you out, and this will help me out. You are a great swordswoman who can help us win a championship!"

That got excited giggling from the two, and I offered Murayama.

"I will spar with the club every so often. I plan to be graduating with you this year, Rias."

That was met with a pout from Murayama but she soon joined us in the happy. We stayed at the house for another ten minutes before we all said goodbye. Irina followed us, before saying she off to help Asia at the clinic. The chestnut then walking off in the other direction as we went towards downtown, where the convention would take place.

At the MOS burger, we met an ultra-excited Jeanne in a Gundam shirt near the front door of the place. She had gotten burgers for everyone and then passed a bag over to Issari, who blinked before remembering Jeanne's promise to her. That got the trio talking as we went towards the convention center. On the way, I caught a glimpse of a guy our age with black hair and glasses. He was there for a second before he disappeared into the crowds.

I made a note of him but put this up to paranoid me again. I dove back into the conversation with Rias and Murayama, who were both practically hanging off me making many nerds on their way to the convention angry. At the entrance to the convention, I showed my tickets, and we were immediately let into the massive hall. Then, the fun began as we all split up. Jeanne went with Issari and Akeno while I was with Rias and Murayama.

Murayama and Rias practically dragged me back and forth through the convention over the next few hours, looking at all the booths. Rias has multiple bags of anime stuff, and Murayama has Gundam figures ready for her home collection. We would cross paths with the others every so often, and I swore I saw that guy with glasses again near what was a Pokémon rip-off booth watching us.

We did get to see Serafall's person in a beautiful woman with light purple hair posing with her hands in vs for a crowd in a green magic girl outfit. The woman was to my surprise, a four-piece pawn, with all four being mutation pieces. She was ultra-friendly to the crowds, and I learned that she was the second main heroine of Hell Maiden. Her character was Magic Girl Samantha who in the show was a former villainess turned ally of Magic Queen Serena, Serafall's character. I instantly saw her sin in pride as her adoring fans chanted her name. Rias caught my eye, and she promised to share the show with all of us who were still here later. Saying that, it was one of the best animes ever. I took the pure happiness from her and pulled her in for a kiss, saying I would love to see that side of her more.

There was also someone else who stood out to me in that crowd. A woman who was dressed up like a nun with a prop sword. She had long, ash-blonde hair, grey-blue eyes and was beautiful. She was drawing in nerds around her like a light does flys and was dealing with them well. I noticed she seemed to get close to us multiple times. Murayama hadn't noticed her until we were at a booth near some vending machines, and she commented with a slight nosebleed.

"That nun cosplayer is hot. I might ask her for tips for a costume I want to try."

That was said with a seductive grin for me.

"I don't know, Mura. I like the real you better, and I don't need costumes."

I was never big into that, but Murayama got even more determined, and she winked.

"I have a few ideas you might like. All of them are very big on that thing of yours."

That got a single blood droplet from me before I wiped that away.

"You don't play with honor, my red knight."

That got a broader smile from her.

"Honor is for the battlefield. In love, everything is fair. Here is what I want when we get to that point."

She whispered that want as I blushed. However, that was something I might like. I agreed, and Murayama beams before pulling me back towards Rias, who had come from the booth with several signed autographs.

I saw that nun two more times, always surrounded by fans who were gushing over her outfit. The nun was always smiling, and extremely friendly with people. I didn't see the other potential stalker, and as it was hitting the mid-afternoon, we regrouped with the others. I saw the trio were excitedly discussing something. They went silent upon seeing us, and Jeanne smirked, seeing the Gundam stuff from Murayama. They started talking, and I looked at Issari and Akeno. Both were watching around, too, and I asked them the question.

"Have you been seeing a nun with ash blonde hair around too?"

That put both on edge, and they nodded together. Akeno was the one who spoke there.

"Yes, we have. She was watching us from a distance, and before we could get a proper look at her, she disappeared into the crowds."

This nun is not normal then.

"Keno, can you cover me?"

Akeno and Issari moved with me while a still oblivious Rias, Jeanne and Murayama move towards a group of Gundam fans with massive smiles. In the bathroom area, I found a men's bathroom with no one else there. I quickly made a scanner and came out to join the others. When we saw the nun again, I used the scanner that looked like a phone to scan that nun. The results make me blanch.

That's not a cosplayer. That's an exorcist, and they were carrying a holy blade that was well hidden by the sheath. I looked more closely at the exorcist, and she looked European. I don't remember an exorcist of her description in the series well, and that worries me. Was this an assassin from Kokabiel? When I looked up again, the nun was gone. I put myself on heightened alert and had my hand near my keychain, as did Issari, while Akeno kept her eyes open too. However we didn't see the nun again for the rest of the convention.

Despite that, Rias and the others had a wonderful time there, and I enjoyed it enough to make this a good memory for us. It was around six when we left the convention with many souvenirs, and we again stopped at the MOS Burger to get food. I called Ravel and asked her what she was doing and if she wanted food.

The answer was that yes, she would love food, as would everyone else in the peerage. They were all at the new base, along with Rias's peerage and Asia, setting up things or places to hang out in. I listened to everyone on the other end say their orders to me before relaying them back to the cashier. They made the call to the kitchen for our order. During the waiting time, Rias held onto my arm possessively as three girls stared at me like meat. The look Rias sent them made the three pale before they backed away as Rias had been leaking demonic energy there.

"I get to do the same should anyone stare at you like that, Ria."

That got a cute nod from my betrothed and I enjoyed the fact we are making happy new memories.

Stasis spells kept the food hot and ready for the people at base, which were applied by Akeno and Issari in a nearby alleyway. I kept a lookout for mundanes and that exorcist. My paranoia kicked up again as I thought I saw the glasses guy again. Going the opposite direction as us while reading a manga book. I'm now hyper paranoid about this because of that exorcist. I was the last through the portal to the base, with axe in hand.

Inside the well-lit base, I was greeted by Ravel, who was happy to see me. I let my paranoid self go for a bit and moved with her towards the cafeteria. Inside were new tables and chairs, where everyone was digging into burgers and fries. I wondered where we got the furniture from, and Ravel answered me as she was dipping a fry in fry sauce.

"Maéva brought over extra furniture that we weren't using, and she said that the next time she goes shopping, she will get more."

That's awesome, and I'll get her more money there. We continued eating as Asia happily chatted with Kiba about their work together today, along with Irina. Issari was looking at Asia with a look of wanting to be closer for that dragon tamer field, and Akeno caught that look, saying something in the other's ear. That got them talking. Jeanne and Murayama were so in groused with their conversation that they had fallen into that their burgers were getting cold. I whispered something to Ravel who went wide eyed before I got me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm so excited, Greg."

It was a promise to see the movie she had been eyeing last Sunday. With that done, the rest of the night for Ravel, Kuroka, and I was spent making plans for Kokabiel while letting my queen know about our potential exorcist. Rias kept beaming as she imagined her robot Hetvia promised her. She promised to find a good spirit for its matrix. The night ended I after making a few more base defenses before being helped to bed by the queens. This coming week is going to be the start of our agreed plan.